I grew up in the same places, Ricky got shot in the face
I saw Abraham's brains split on the pave
He jumped off the block, right where the kids played we used to sit everyday
Chattin' shit, we all strayed, I guess it's deep seeded urban decay
From my angle I can see the ghetto burnin' away
I wanna cry, I find myself turnin' away
There's kids, 16, burnin' the yay
Mislearnin' the game, I send a prayer for the pain
As I stand here
Ooh, watching the world go 'round
How it always keeps me down
Is it supposed to be like this, like this?
As we rise (as we rise)
Ooh, to gain an edge in life (to gain an edge in life)
Someone always seems to try to come in the way
Is it supposed to be like this?
I come from the place where you can't tell what's 'round the corner
Goin to jail or fail, getting fucked up
Like them little black kids from Bronx Tale
Well, as long as we're living in hell, in the streets violence will always dwell
I could tell you a thousand tales documented in detail
And most niggas can relate 'round the world
My nigga Curt got found with bullet rounds in his chest up in the ATL and
The papers hate me, well
I'm tryna revoke the violence, not promote the violence
This is my broken silence
And you can hear my screams louder than police sirens
I'm tryna fight back like my nigga Little Byron
Just as long as I love and stay vibrant
I shall prevail, I shall not betrayal
I shall put my hands up at the end and say I done well (yeah yeah!)
Only time will tell for real
As I stand here
Ooh, watching the world go round
How it always keeps me down
Is it supposed to be like this, like this?
As we rise (as we rise)
Ooh, to gain an edge in life (to gain an edge in life)
Someone always seems to try to come in the way (last verse coming from the heart)
Is it supposed to be like this? (Ayo)
I guess we need more stability
It's like we're imprisoned in the ghetto and it's gettin' to me
To the point where I'm feelin institutionalised
Look in my eyes
You'll see pain in it, but who can decide whether I stay in, trapped in, packed in
Or fly from the restrain and the thoughts packed in
Inside my brain, but I proclaim that
I will withstand the rain in order to get out this game, plus
The media, government try to blow us but they can't out the flame or doubt the name
Shit, and your revolution's 'bout to change
Trust me, sitting 'round tables with their ties and shirts with the lust to discuss me
You disgust me
So I must be
As level-headed as I can to never back-pedal on the plan
So we can all hold hands together
Unite so we can live as one
As I stand here
Ooh, watching the world go round
How it always keeps me down (how it always)
Is it supposed to be like this, like this?
As we rise (as we rise)
Ooh, to gain an edge in life (to gain an edge in life)
Someone always seems to try to come in the way
Is it supposed to be like this?
♪
As I stand here (as I stand here)
Ooh, watching the world go 'round
How it always keeps me down
Is it supposed to be like this, like this?
As we rise (as we rise)
Ooh, to gain an edge in life (to gain an edge in life)
Someone always seems to try to come in the way
Is it supposed to be like this?